Man's sentence increased after appeal over 'brutal' murder in Abingdon
Robert Richens will serve a longer term for murder of former partner Rachael Vaughan
The Court of Appeal has increased the minimum term of a life sentence for Robert Richens, who was convicted of the brutal murder of his former partner, Rachael Vaughan, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
Richens, 35, was initially sentenced in February to at least 16 years and one month in prison after admitting to the murder of 40-year-old Vaughan in May 2025.
Following a referral from the Solicitor General, attorneys argued the sentence was "unduly lenient," citing insufficient consideration of aggravating factors and an excessive reduction due to Richens' learning disabilities.
Richens attended the appeal hearing via video link from HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire, where barristers contended for maintaining the original sentencing.
However, senior judges in London concluded that the gravity of the violent crime warranted a longer minimum term, increasing it to 19-and-a-half years.
In their ruling, Lord Justice Males, accompanied by Mrs Justice Cutts and Judge Sylvia de Bertodano, described the murder as particularly brutal, with multiple aggravating aspects.
Recognising Rachael Vaughan's vulnerability due to her disabilities, the judges determined that Richens' intellectual difficulties did not sufficiently reduce his culpability.
"The fact of learning disabilities does not necessarily mean that an offender’s culpability is reduced," Lord Justice Males stated, pointing out that many individuals with similar challenges lead law-abiding lives.
Richens and Vaughan's relationship began in 2023 but was marked by controlling and violent behaviour from Richens, including instances of physical abuse.
Attempts by Vaughan to leave the relationship were thwarted by returning to Richens, leading to the tragic events described by Lord Justice Males as making for "most unhappy reading."
On the evening of May 29, 2025, Richens launched a sustained attack on Vaughan, causing a traumatic brain injury among other severe injuries, before calling police and admitting guilt.